Volume One: The Cemetery of Eight Coffins Chapter 54: Professional Deceiver

Xu Ruoxi thought for a moment, then began to tell us about the situation regarding the house at No. 14 Old Street. The details she shared were much the same as what the attendant had said earlier, though her account lacked the vividness and drama of his. Clearly, the two hundred yuan spent on the attendant was worth every penny.

But what concerned us most was what happened when Fei Yao entered that house for the second time, accompanied by her assistant. Now we knew: that assistant was Xu Ruoxi.

Thinking back, it was quite admirable that Fei Yao and Xu Ruoxi—two women—had returned to that old house, despite everything. Yet Xu Ruoxi informed us that Fei Yao had not mentioned the events of the previous night beforehand; Xu Ruoxi had no inkling of anything strange in the house. Fei Yao merely asked her to help pack a few things, saying they would be staying at a hotel.

Xu Ruoxi recalled that after following Fei Yao back to the old house, Fei Yao had seemed oddly wooden from the moment she entered, her mood noticeably off. It was as though Fei Yao had become a different person—her gaze vacant and dull.

Once inside, Fei Yao began searching every room and corner, rummaging through boxes and cabinets until their contents were strewn across the floor. Xu Ruoxi, baffled by her behavior, went up to ask what she was looking for.

Fei Yao ignored her completely. When Xu Ruoxi tried to stop her, Fei Yao suddenly shoved her aside with surprising force—so strong that Xu Ruoxi stumbled and nearly fell. Fei Yao had always possessed a gentle, scholarly demeanor; such a violent act was utterly out of character.

Terrified, Xu Ruoxi could only stand aside and watch as Fei Yao frantically turned over every room, failing to find whatever she sought. Then, as if possessed, Fei Yao dashed out into the courtyard.

In the courtyard stood two lilac trees. Fei Yao, in a frenzy, began tearing at their leaves, stuffing them into her mouth and chewing them in large, desperate gulps.

Xu Ruoxi watched in horror, utterly at a loss.

Eventually, Fei Yao collapsed to the ground and lost consciousness.

Xu Ruoxi hurriedly took her to the hospital. After a series of examinations, Fei Yao was found to be in perfect health, with nothing physically amiss. She awoke the next morning.

When Xu Ruoxi asked about the previous night, Fei Yao remembered nothing. She said she had simply intended to fetch a few clothes before heading to the hotel. Once she entered the courtyard, her mind went blank, and she recalled nothing else.

This was an utterly bizarre occurrence, impossible to explain with common sense. The only plausible explanation was that something sinister haunted the house—Fei Yao had been possessed or bewitched upon her return.

We all waited for Xu Ruoxi to finish her account.

As she spoke, her eyes were still filled with terror, as if the events she recalled were unfolding right before her.

Third Uncle pondered a moment, then asked, "You said she searched every room. Did she go into the room with the dressing table?"

Xu Ruoxi thought back and shook her head. "No. That room is upstairs. The only room she didn't enter was that one."

Third Uncle nodded. "It seems there is something in that room she fears. Or perhaps—not her..."

His words were cryptic; both Xu Ruoxi and I were puzzled.

Third Uncle waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, we've learned enough. All that's left is for the three of us to go in and see for ourselves what's causing the disturbance."

Hearing this, Xu Ruoxi was dumbfounded. She protested, "What? The three of us? Is this some kind of joke? The rest is your business—what does it have to do with me?"

"Of course it concerns you," Third Uncle replied gleefully. "We don’t know the layout of that house. Going there at night, we need someone to guide us. And Assistant Xu, our contract clearly states you must fully cooperate. If you don’t, that’s a breach of contract."

"You... But the contract never said I had to enter that house!"

Third Uncle smiled. "But it never said you couldn’t, either."

I stepped forward to explain, "Assistant Xu, my Third Uncle has two roles. He’s the president of our company, and also a master specializing in exorcism. With him here, nothing will happen."

Truthfully, I wanted to add that Third Uncle has a third role—professional trickster.

There was no real need for Xu Ruoxi to accompany us on the inspection of the haunted house. I understood Third Uncle’s motive: he had long been annoyed by Xu Ruoxi and wanted to use this opportunity to teach her a lesson, so she would stop being so overbearing. He also wanted her to witness firsthand that our fifty-thousand-yuan fee was earned through hard work, not fraud as she claimed.

With a bit of persuasion and trickery from Third Uncle and myself, we managed to bring Xu Ruoxi along to No. 14 Old Street, the infamous haunted house.

The buildings here were all much alike, their layouts nearly identical—a two-story cottage with a small courtyard in front.

These old-style cottages were quite different from modern villas. The front courtyard was tiny and surrounded by tall walls, shielding everything inside from view.

Standing outside the gate, we gazed at the dark cottage, its exterior walls covered in climbing ivy and other vines. Looking at the house, I couldn’t help but feel a chill. In places like this, I always sensed a coldness seeping into my bones.

Xu Ruoxi was even more frightened, hiding behind me and trembling visibly.

At that moment, I felt a pang of guilt. Perhaps it was a little unscrupulous to bring her here.

But Third Uncle had a point. We’d never been here in daylight, and without someone familiar with the layout, it would be even more troublesome.

Third Uncle beckoned to Xu Ruoxi. She nervously produced the keys and opened the gate.

He set down his backpack, rummaging inside and pulling out two peach-wood swords, handing one to me.

These were our basic tools for dealing with haunted houses. Third Uncle seemed to have them in bulk, always prepared for every occasion.

Xu Ruoxi timidly asked, "Do I get one?"

Third Uncle glanced at her. "It’s no use for you. This is a peach-wood sword. You’re a woman; it won’t ward off evil for you, it’s just an ordinary piece of wood."

Xu Ruoxi looked disappointed. Third Uncle shook his head and took out a bundle of rope from his bag.

I noticed the ropes seemed to have been soaked in something, stained dark. Every so often, a knot was tied, each one different. Among the knots were bits of coarse hair.

Third Uncle divided the ropes into three segments, distributing one to each of us.

I took my piece and noticed the knots were peculiar, no two alike. Some contained strands of stiff hair.

(End of chapter)